Drama of Space : Spatial Sequences and Compositions in Architecture

The experience of architectural spaces is formed by the way they are staged. The Drama of Space examines the composition and articulation of architectural spaces in terms of spatial dramaturgy, as a repertoire of means and strategies for shaping spatial experience. This fundamental approach to architectural design is presented in four parts: Archetypal principles of spatial composition are traced from the study of three assembly buildings of the early modern period in Venice. Theatre, film, music, and theory provide background knowledge on dramaturgy. Detailed analyses of 18 international case studies offer new perspectives on contemporary architecture. The book ends with a systematic presentation of the dramaturgy of space, its parameters and tools, in architectural design.

"This finely-detailed study [...] is essential and eye-opening in terms of illuminating how architects and clients alike experience moving through architecture as a "spine-tingling" passage."
(Norman Weinstein in ArchNewsNow.com, 21.12.2017, http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/Feature531.htm)

"Using Kleine’s own terminology, we can think of his book as a fantasia, a beautiful arrangement of uneven fragments including captivating photos, diagrams and text, that does not follow a strict form. His discussion of the performing arts is inspiring in a visual way that lets us see architectures emerge from sound and play, and the discussion of built works makes us feel suspense and melodic delight. In this dramatic composition of ideas, joyful and dark experiences are equally important and complement each other." (Georg Windeck in ARCHISEARCH.GR, 04.2021, https://www.archisearch.gr/books/the-drama-of-space-holger-kleines-new-book/)